AFC TOTTON didn’t quite manage to pull off a celebratory win for wideman Mike Gosney on his record-breaking 387th club appearance.

But given they had lost 6-0 away to Evesham United earlier in the season, a 2-2 draw against the Worcestershire outfit felt like a victory of sorts for manager Steve Hollick.

Watched by Saints FA Cup-winning manager Lawrie McMenemy, who presented Gosney with a commemorative plate and champagne before kick-off, Totton fell behind in the 13th minute when Adam Mann headed home Lewis Binns’ whipped-in cross for the visitors.

The Stags equalised in similar fashion five minutes later – Nick Watts bursting down the left and crossing for Nathaniel Sherborne to power in a header at the back stick.

Evesham finished the first half on top and it took a smart save from Steve Mowthorpe to keep out Nick Stanley’s 25-yard free kick.

The visitors started the second half just as brightly, but it was Totton who went ahead as Watts and Sherborne teamed up again.

This time Sherborne turned creator, picking out Watts with a delightful crossfield pass that split the Evesham defence. The wideman did the rest, slotting the ball under ex-Salisbury stopper Kevin Sawyer with 53 minutes gone.

But that lead did not last long as Evesham equalised just after the hour.

Mann scrambled the ball over the line amid the goalmouth scramble that ensued from Jacob Sloggett’s cross and, despite Totton protests, the goal was allowed to stand.

But for more Mowthorpe magic,  Mann might have had a hat-trick, but he lost his nerve in a one-on-one with the Stags’ man-of-the-match.

Satisfied Totton boss Hollick said: “Evesham came here with much the same squad as they had up there, so 2-2 was a big improvement from us.

“I think we edged it with better chances - Neil Williams had a couple and Nick Watts another one -  but if someone had said before the game that we’d get a point, we’d have taken it.

“Lawrie McMenemy was up in the executive suite and enjoyed the game. It was nice to have him with us to make Mike Gosney’s day a bit special and I enjoyed having a chat with him.”

Hollick also praised the AFC Totton groundstaff for getting the game on after a night of heavy rain.

“They’re the club’s unsung heroes and they did an amazing job. The pitch played okay,” he said.

“We’re flying with our games and have only had one called off.”

The same cannot be said of Winchester City who, for the second Saturday running, fell foul of a wet-weather postponement.

Their game at Tiverton Town was called off after an 8.45 pitch inspection – a marked improvement on the previous week when they travelled all the way to Cinderford Town only to discover their journey had been wasted.

Totton have a free midweek, while Winchester are due to host Sholing in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday (February 3, 7.45).